Advent for All the Senses

On the first weekend of Advent, the LVR Open-Air Museum Kommern presents "Advent for All the Senses," an event that brings historical Christmas traditions to life. Visitors can see how rural families once prepared for the holiday. Christmas music fills the rooms of the museum houses, inviting you to sing along. The entire site glows with natural light sources and lanterns as traditional stories are told. Children have the chance to make Christmas decorations and small gifts in the craft room. Meanwhile, adults can hone their skills in traditional calligraphy for Christmas cards in the old village school. The museum ovens fill the air with the aromas of baked apples, speculaas, and gingerbread, freshly prepared on site. Craftspeople such as broom makers, blacksmiths, and woodcarvers demonstrate their skills. Lantern tours, which bathe the museum grounds in warm light, are especially atmospheric. A small Advent market inside and in front of the Pingsdorfer dance hall offers handmade goods like leatherwork, bookbinding, knitwear, and Advent wreaths. In addition to "Advent for All the Senses," the LVR Open-Air Museum Kommern offers year-round events such as "Jahrmarkt anno dazumal," "After the Harvest," and "Zeitblende." With its lively presentation of history, it is an ideal day-trip destination.